Time-controlled mechanism.



E O. SLATER. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15,1913. 1,102,093 Patented June 30, 1914.

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2775a? 0, @Zan wi h wooao E. 0. SLATER. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1913. I 1,102,093. Patented June 30, 1914.

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' 7 [@m7" 0. SZaZeW wi tneooeo a aa'a'l laz'u v'vka' lazy W EDGAR O. SLATER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

TIME-CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. P t t d J 30, 1 14,

Application filed January15, 1813. Serial No. 7 12,2 15.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR O. SLATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Greene and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Lmprovements in Time-Controlled Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in time controlled mechanisms and has particu lar application to a mechanism of this class whereby electric switches, furnace dampers and other devices or apparatus may be controlled so as to be rendered operative and inoperative at predetermined times.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a time controlled mechanism which will be constructed in such manner that electric switches, dampers and the like may be opened and closed at predetermined periods and which will be capable of adjustment so that the time elapsing between the opening and closing of the switch, damper or other device may be varied.

It is also my purpose to provide a mechanism of the class described which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efliciency and durability coupled with cheapness of cost in manufacture and installation and which will be automatic in action.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing my improved mechanism interposed between an electric switch and a chronometer. Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the rotatable element of the mechanism. Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the means for controlling the rotatable element, parts being broken away, and Fig. 5 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in section of the means for controlling the rotatable element.

In the present instance, I have shown my improved time controlled mechanism as used for operating an electric switch or circuit closer whereby the circuit closer may be opened and closed at predetermined periods. In this connection, it is to be understood that my invention in its useful application is not limited to this particular purpose as the same is equally applicable for the control of dampers or other devices or apparatus.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, A indicates a suitable form of chronometer, embodying a twenty-four hour gear a meshing with a gear 6 driven from the gear a and adapted to complete one revolution in every twelve hours. Fixed to the shaft of the gear 2') is a controller 1 composed, in the present instance, of an annulus 2 formed adjacent to one edge with a circumferentially extending flange 3 and pro vided with a radially disposed cavity or recess 1 opening onto the periphery thereof. Extending outwardly from one side of the annulus 2 and preferably formed integral therewith is a collar 5 coaxial with the opening in the annulus 2 and surrounding the collar 5 is a second annulus 6 formed with a radially extending cavity or recess 7 opening onto the periphery thereof, the circumferential flange 3 on the annulus 2 forming, in effect, a division plate between the periphcries of the annuli. This annulus 6 is adjustable about the collar 5 so that the distance between the recesses or cavities 1 and 7 in the annuli may be varied. In the present instance, a set screw 8 is threaded into a bore formed in the annulus 6 and adapted to bear upon the adjacent face of the collar 5 so that the annulus 6 may be held in the desired adjusted position with respect to the annulus 2.

The controller 1 has control over a rotary element which, in this form of my invention, is in the form of a lever 9 mounted between its ends on a shaft 10 and having one end thereof formed to provide a lug 11 while the opposite end is formed with laterally extending wings 12, 12 each carrying an outwardly projecting lug 13, 1 1, the lugs 13 and 14.- being adapted to successively enter the cavity or recess 4 in the annulus 2 of the controller, while the lug 11 at the opposite end of the rotary element is offset, thatis, to say, disposed in a plane to one side of and parallel with that of the lugs 13, 14. and is designed to cooperate with the recess or cavity 7 in the annulus 6. In the present instance, the central portion of the lever 9 forming the rotary element is provided with an offset car 15 carrying a pin 16 upon which is journaled one end of a connecting rod 17, the free end of the latter, in the present instance, having connections with an electric switchS.

In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustrative purposes, rotary movement is imparted to the lever 9 through the medium of a gear wheel 18 meshing with a pinion 19 on the shaft 10 and keyed upon one extremity of a shaft 20, the latter being rotated through the medium of a spring motor 21, or a cord and weight as desired.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation and manner of employing my invention will be readily apparent. Assuming the chronometer A to be in operation and the controller 1 turning toward the right as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and the lug 14 on one end of the lever 9 disposed within the cavity 4 in the annulus 2, the operation is as follows:

In the continued turning movement of the controller the lug 14 is relieved of the influence of the walls of the cavity 4 and the lever 9 rotated under the action of the spring motor 21 and through the medium of the gear and pinion 18 and 19 respectively and the shaft 10. In this rotation of the lever 9, the crank formed by the ear 15 and the pin 16 is moved to a position diametrically opposite to that shown in Fig. 1, thereby moving the connecting rod 17 downwardly and so closing the switch. Immediately that the switch is closed, the lug 11 contacts with the periphery of the annulus 6 and thereby enables the switch to remain closed. Subsequently, however, the lug 11 enters the cavity 7 in the annulus 6, incident to the rotation of the controller and is carried around by such cavity and released whereby the lever again rotates with the effect to open the switch, while the lug 13 abuts the periphery of the annulus 2 of the controller to check the, rotation of the lever. The lug 13 eventually enters the cavity 4 in the annulus 2 of the controller and is subsequently relieved of the influence of such cavity, but the lug 14 which is carried by the same end of the lever as the lug 13 contacts with the periphery of the annulus 2 and so holds the lever against rotation. In the present instance, the lug 14 is relieved of the influence of the annulus 2 of the controller, incident to the controller rotating and carrying the annulus 2 around to engage the recess '4 therein with the lug 14, approximately twelve hours after the release of the lug 13 by the cavity 4.

By adjusting the annulus 6 relatively to the annulus 2, the distance between the recesses 7 and 4 in the respective annuli may be varied and consequently the period of 60 time which the switch or other device re mains in closed or operative vposition changed.

As a concrete example of the operation of the device, 1V6 will suppose that the lug 65 14 is resting within the cavity 4 in the annulus 2 and will slip out of such cavity at exactly 7.30 p. m. At this time, the arm 9 will be relieved of the influence of the an nulus and lug and so rotate, under the action of the spring, through one-half revolution when the lug 11 on the opposite end of the lever will engage the annulus 6, the In 11 being oflset relatively to the lugs 13 and 14. In this movement of the arm, the switch S is closed. Now, should it be desired that the lug 11 be relieved of the influence of the annulus 6 at 12 m., by leaving the cavity 7 the hands of the clock are moved forward until the said hour is reached and the annulus 6 adjusted upon the sleeve 5 relatively to the cam 2 to a position to release the lug 11 on the respective end of the arm 9 at 12 In. so that in the normal operation of tliie mechanism the lug 11 Wlll be relieved of the influence of the annulus 6 by riding out of the recess 7 therein, at exactly 12 p. 111. thus permitting the arm to complete the remaining half revolution, minus the distance between the lugs 13 and 14, the lug 13 abutting the annulus 2. In this movement of the arm, the switch is opened and the lug 13 remains in engagement with the annulus 2 until 7.30 a. m., the lug 13, being at this time, relieved of the influence of the annulus. As the lug l3 rides out of the cavity 4, the lug 14 abuts the periphery of the annulus 2 and so prevents turning movement of the arm 9 to again close the handle, the lug 14 being released by the annulus 2 at 7.30 p. m. at which time the above cycle of operation is repeated. By means of this construction, it will be seen that the lugs upon one end of the arm cooperate with the lug upon the other end of the arm in such manner that the switch will remain open and closed for different periods of time.

While I have herein shown and described one particular form of controller and rotatable element and certain means for imparting movement to the rotatable element, it will be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the particular details of construction herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made within the scope of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a time controlled mechanism, a chronometer, a lever adapted for rotary movement and having one end thereof formed to provide a lug and the opposite end equipped with a number of lugs, a connection between said lever and the device to be controlled, and a controller operable from said chronometer and comprising two annuli each having a radially disposed slot formed therein adapted to receive and release said lugs whereby the device under the control of the mechanism may be ren: dered operative and inoperative at predetermined intervals.

2. In a time controlled mechanism, a chronometer, a lever adapted for rotary movement and having one end thereof formed to provide a lug and the opposite end equipped with a number of lugs, a connection between the lever and the device to be controlled, and a controlled operable from said chronometer and comprising an annulus formed with a cavity in the periphery thereof, a collar extending outwardly from one side of said annulus concentrically of 15 the axis thereof, a second annulus mounted upon said collar and having a cavity formed in the periphery thereof, and an adjustable connection between said last annulus and collar, the cavities in said annuli being adapted to receive and release said lugs whereby the device under the control of the mechanism may be rendered operativeand inoperative at predetermined intervals.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDGAR O. SLATER.

Witnesses D. TURPIN, ANNA UNDERWOOD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Ira/cents,

. Washington, D. G. 

